Making the Transition

• 1
  Cats should remain on kitten food for a year.Pretinha comendo image by Liberdade Criativa from Fotolia.com
  
  Feed your young cat kitten food for 12 months. While many cats will appear fully grown at about 6 or 7 months and may have reached their adult size, their bodies are still changing internally. Growing kittens require the additional vitamins and minerals found in most kitten food formulas. Changing your kitten to adult cat food earlier than her first birthday is not recommended.
  
  
• 2
  There is no concern for overeating in kittens.Kitten on a palm image by Aleksandr Lobanov from Fotolia.com
  
  Allow your kitten to eat as much as he likes. It may seem that your kitten eats a lot, but unlike puppies, there is no significant concern for overeating or obesity in kittens. A young cat should have a small dish of dry kitten food available to nibble whenever he likes.
  
  
• 3
  A gradual shift to adult cat food is recommended.Cat"s food image by Alexey Stiop from Fotolia.com
  
  After your cat has reached the age of 12 months, start making the transition from kitten food to adult cat formulas. Measure your cat's portions out to 3/4 portion of kitten food and 1/4 adult dry cat food. Your cat may not be able to tell the difference. Continue this method for all feedings for a few days and be sure to observe whether your cat suffers any side effects like vomiting, diarrhea or constipation.
  
  
• 4
  Observe your cat's eating and elimination habits.white angora cat eating from food bowl image by Stephen Orsillo from Fotolia.com
  
  If you have succeeded in the first gradual transition, your kitty is ready to step it up. Measure her portions out to 1/2 kitten food and 1/2 adult cat food. Continue feeding using those measurements for a few days and watch for any side effects
  
  
• 5
  Adult cat foodcat food image by Allyson Ricketts from Fotolia.com
  
  Increase the amount of adult cat food again. If the cat has shown no indications of digestive problems and is enjoying his meals, it's safe to assume that he's doing well and will soon be able to move on to 100 percent adult cat food. Begin serving your cat meals that are 3/4 adult dry cat food and 1/4 kitten food.
  
  
• 6
  The shift to adult cat food can be accomplished fairly quickly.meow at you! image by Gleb Semenjuk from Fotolia.com
  
  Begin to feed your cat 100 percent adult dry cat food and closely monitor her eliminating habits and general well-being. If she has no significant changes in stool, no signs of indigestion, and is not vomiting, then he or she has made a successful transition from kitten food to adult dry cat food.